South Carolina (SC) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

Much like the rest of the U.S., in the state of South Carolina, car crashes are the leading cause of injuries and death among teens, specifically 16-19 year olds. In fact, the car accident risk for this age group is four times the risk for any other group of drivers on the roads today. In response to these unsettling facts, all states across the U.S., including South Carolina, have adopted some form of the standard Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system.

Continue reading to learn more about South Carolina’s Graduated Driver Licensing system and how to begin the journey from permit to full licensing.  

South Carolina Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), Provisions, and Enforcement

Obtaining your license in the state of South Carolina begins with successful completion of the instruction or “beginner” permit phase. To obtain your instruction permit you must:

•    Be 15 years of age
•    Provide proof of identity
•    Provide proof of residency
•    Provide proof of South Carolina auto insurance
•    Pass a vision test
•    Pass a knowledge test

You must hold the beginner permit for at lease 6 months before applying for a restricted driver’s license. During this time, you must complete 40 hours of practice driving with a licensed parent or guardian. 10 hours must be completed at night. Under the conditions of the beginner permit, you may drive between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 a.m., but a licensed driver at least 21 years of age or older must accompany you at all times. The supervising drivers’ license must be at least 1 year old and he must be seated in the front passenger seat at all times.

There are two types of licenses available during the next phase, the “conditional license” and “special restricted license.”

The Conditional License is for teens under age 16 that have held a beginner permit for 180 days. In addition to the documents listed above, to apply for a conditional license you must also provide a certification of driver practice, certification of driver education course, and certification of school attendance. You may drive unaccompanied between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. At all other times a supervising driver must accompany you. In addition, you may not carry more than 2 passengers under the age of 21 unless they are immediate family members. After holding the conditional license for one year, you will be eligible to apply for a full license.

The Special Restricted License is available to 16 year olds. It carries all of the above conditions with the exception of the curfew. Special restricted license holders may operate a motor vehicle unaccompanied when driving:

•    To and from work
•    To and from school
•    To and from school events, and activities
•    To and from training activities

Once you have satisfied all of the requirements of all applicable licensing levels, you will be eligible to apply for a full unrestricted license. In addition to providing all required documents to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (identification, certifications, application),you must pass a vision test and a road test.

If you violate any of the conditions of the South Carolina Graduated Driver Licensing program, your license may be suspended or delayed.

South Carolina Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of South Carolina, it is still legal to use a mobile phone while driving. Several bills are currently being debated to put an end to this risky practice among teen drivers. HB 4501 and SB 113 would prohibit drivers from using cell phones unless hands-free devices are being used. This includes PDAs, pagers, and any other wireless communication device. Another bill, SB 402, would allow municipalities to limit drivers’ cell phone use to hands-free operation. To date, fines and penalties have not been determined.

While there are currently no real limits on cell phone use while driving in the state of South Carolina, all drivers, especially beginners and teens, should use common sense when it comes to talking on a cell phone while driving. Pull over to a safe place if you must make or take a call.

South Carolina Teen DUI Laws

In the state of South Carolina, it is a crime for a teen to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. A BAC of 0.02% is as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some. Proof of a BAC of 0.02% is all that is needed to convict a South Carolina teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, your licensing could be delayed or you may lose your driving privileges altogether for at least 90 days. Depending on the circumstances of your case (BAC, other traffic violations, traffic accident), you may have to spend time in a juvenile detention center and you may have to pay fines ranging from $400 up to $1,000 or more.

South Carolina Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

In the state of South Carolina, auto insurance is the law. So whether you’re an adult or a teen, you must carry at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury coverage, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for personal property. Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, South Carolina auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year. The average increase is around $2,171 a year.